About 500 winemakers, industry figures and enthusiasts are in the capital for the four-day conference, including about 200 from France, the United States, Australia - and England.

Organiser John Saker said it might come as a surprise to some, but Britain was up and coming in the wine industry. English Pinot XI captain Jasper Morris, a master of wine, said England was now the 21st-biggest producer of pinot noir in the world. The team hoped to hold up against the Kiwis.

"We know New Zealand does some good wine and we reckon they probably do pretty good cricket too."